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Climate change is cooking Europe’s oceans, scientists find
politico.eu • • world
Key Points:
- Researchers report that Europe’s seas, including the Atlantic and Mediterranean, are experiencing record-breaking marine heat waves, with temperatures up to 6°C above average, driven by climate change.
- The World Weather Attribution study found that climate change has increased sea temperatures by 1.3°C to 2°C across different European marine regions, significantly expanding the extent and intensity of marine heat waves.
- These elevated ocean temperatures disrupt marine ecosystems, causing some species to decline or relocate while others, like jellyfish and octopuses, proliferate, impacting fisheries and coastal industries.
- Warm seas also exacerbate extreme weather risks for coastal communities by intensifying heat and humidity and fueling severe storms, as seen in recent flooding events such as the 2024 Valencia floods.
- Scientists warn that the ongoing ocean warming is a direct consequence of fossil fuel emissions and poses serious threats to marine biodiversity, coastal economies, and public safety.
